Candidate for Secretary of State to speak at Monday's Democratic luncheon

Ellen Spiegel, primary candidate for Nevada Secretary of State, will be the featured speaker at Monday's Democratic luncheon. Ellen served five terms in the Nevada Assembly, representing Districts 20 and 21, where she became known as a staunch advocate for working families, women’s health care, the environment and LGBTQ rights. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics from Cornell University. Her professional experience includes working as a business owner and consultant, becoming an e-commerce pioneer. Through her efforts The Weather Channel was brought online, and she developed the very first online store that let people purchase software and download it to their computers. She was also instrumental in the development of Internet privacy and email marketing guidelines that help protect consumers. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, theater/art appreciation.

Ellen was born in New York City and raised in the small town of Jericho, NY. Even as a teenager, she was active in her community, advocating for those less fortunate than her. She became the first graduate of Emerge Nevada to be elected to public office. With her husband Bill, to whom she has been married for 21 years, she owns and operates a successful Nevada-based consulting firm. They have two cats, Hobbes and Shekel ("Shecky") and live in the Green Valley section of Henderson.

Awards and Recognition

In March 2021, Ellen was named First Vice President of the Nevada Federation of Democratic Women. She was named Legislator of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2020. The Nevada Women's Lobby gave her its "Woman of Impact" award in 2020. Also in 2020, she was named Vice Chair of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators Articles' Incorporation and Bylaws Committee.

In 2019 she received a certificate of appreciation from the Adopt a Vet Dental Program in recognition of outstanding support and commitment to the Nevada veteran community. Also in 2019, she was appointed to the National Conference of Insurance Legislators Executive Board, Council of State Governments' Future of Work Task Force, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Taxation, and Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on K-12/Higher Education/Capital Improvement Programs.

In 2017 she was named a Henry Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments, was given "Shining Star" recognition by the Breastfeeding Task Force of Nevada, and was named Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, Vice-Chair. In 2016 she was given the Women in Politics Award by the Urban Chamber of Commerce, and the Governor Richard H. Bryan Award by the Henderson Democratic Club.

In 2015 she received the Peggy Pierce Advocacy Award by the March of Dimes, a certificate of appreciation from the United Veterans Legislative Council, and the Peggy Pierce Advocacy Award from the March of Dimes. In 2013 Mi Familia Vota gave her a certificate of appreciation, and was named Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health & Human Services.

In 2011 she was named by the City of Henderson as one of those "Making a Difference in their Neighborhoods." In 2010 the Nevada Women's Lobby gave her its "Rising Star Award." In 2009 she was named Large Association Board Member of the Year by the Nevada Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.

Legislative Accomplishments

In 2019, Ellen authored AB170, which mandates coverage for pre-existing conditions and gives consumers better access to specialists. In prior years, her bills have helped with prescription drugs and medical billing.

She is known for her work on the landmark "Hailee's Law" and other anti-bullying legislation, as well as making sure students get the support they need to succeed in school.

In 2017 she introduced two pieces of legislation (AB106, AB276) that are now state law, that moved Nevada closer to the goal of equal pay for equal work

In 2019, Nevada became the first state in America to have a female-majority Legislature. Ellen is proud to have been part of U.S. history and to have helped Nevada achieve this milestone. She also is proud of the work accomplished in that historic legislative session. Three of Ellen's bills were signed into law, including AB170, which put coverage for pre-existing conditions into statute and also increased Nevadans' ability to get appointments with doctors who are in-network.

Community Involvement

In 2018 Ellen chaired the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the Southern Nevada Forum. Since 2018 she has served on the President's Council of Cornell Women. She was an Easter Seals Nevada board member from 2009 to 2018, serving as Vice Chair in 2012. She is part of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, board member of the National Association of Jewish Legislators from 2013 to present and Board Secretary from 2015 to 2020, and has served as Nevada chapter president since since 2013. She was the 2011-2012 president of Friends of the Nevada Libraries. She is a member of Project GREEN's Friends of Pittman Wash steering committee. She is also a former board member and Social Committee chair of the Green Valley Ranch Community Association.

As Secretary of State, Ellen pledges to continue fighting for:

Fairness for Women, as demonstrated by such things as her unwavering support for a woman's right to choose, her support for the ERA, her bill which gave dignity in the workplace to nursing mothers, and her being honored by groups like Emerge Nevada (2014 Woman of the Year Award) and the Nevada Women’s Lobby (2020 Woman of Impact Award and 2010 Rising Star Award)

Fairness for Working Families, as demonstrated by Ellen's 100% AFL-CIO voting record through five terms in the Assembly

Fairness for the LGBTQ Community, as demonstrated by her fighting for domestic partnerships in the 2009 Legislature (including testifying in Committee, and working behind the scenes to change minds in order to override ultra-conservative Governor Jim Gibbons' veto), sponsoring 2013's law that expanded hate crimes protections to include transgendered Nevadans and getting marriage equality put into law in the 2017 Legislature

Fairness for the Disabled and Everyone with Medical Issues, as demonstrated by Ellen's voting record, her sponsorship of coverage for preexisting conditions, her nearly a decade of service on the Board of Easter Seals Nevada, and her being honored by groups like the MS Society (2019 Legislator of the Year Award) and the March of Dimes (2015 Peggy Pierce Advocacy Award)

Fairness for Everyone, Regardless of Race, Ethnicity, Religion, Disability Status, Sexual Preference, Gender or Gender Identity, as demonstrated by Ellen's legislative record and being named by the Urban Chamber as a recipient of their 2016 Women In Politics Award

Fairness for the Environment, as demonstrated by her votes in the Legislature and Ellen's membership in the Friends of the Pittman Wash since 2008 and the Sierra Club since 2009

Fairness for Community Safety, as demonstrated by Ellen's support for common sense background checks and public speeches and statements on gun safety, and evidenced by Ellen's being named a 2020 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate

Endorsements

"Ellen Spiegel has a long record of fighting for fairness and standing up to bullies and extremists. Through her legislation and advocacy, Ellen has improved fairness for women, the LGBTQ community, working families, and all Nevadans. She has the experience and the backbone to be Secretary of State and get the job done."

Jeri Burton, President Nevada NOW

“As a Northern Nevadan, I'm supporting Ellen Spiegel for Secretary of State because I know she cares deeply about our entire state. I trust her to run fair elections and I know she has the skills and experience for the other aspects of the office, such as improving our business portal.”

Hon. Catherine Byrne, Nevada State Controller

“I'm a lifelong union member, and Ellen Spiegel was my Assemblywoman for eight years. It is an understatement to say she is honest and hardworking. She promptly responds to emails and calls, she gives straight answers, and her word is her bond. The working men and women of this state have always had a great friend in Ellen, and I strongly support her for Secretary of State.”

Forrest Darby, Former Constituent

“Ellen cares deeply about education, and has been a passionate advocate for our schools. But she's doesn't just fight for good schools - she fights for safe schools. Ellen has been an outspoken advocate for common sense background checks and gun safety. I trust her and support her for Secretary of State.”

Hon. Linda Cavazos, President Clark County School District Board of Trustees

“Ellen Spiegel cares about the whole state - not just the big cities. She's got the experience to do a good job, and she's as fair as they come. That's why I'm supporting her for Secretary of State.”

Hon. Kiernan McManus, Mayor of Boulder City

“I served with Ellen Spiegel in the State Assembly, and in 2019, she was my Vice Chair on the Taxation Committee. I am supporting her for Secretary of State because I know her to be hardworking, caring and an independent voice for fairness.”

Hon. Dina Neal, Senator, Nevada District 4

Sponsored by the Democratic Men's Committee, this event is scheduled for noon on Monday, November 29th. Ellen will be presenting via Zoom. Participants are invited to join the conversation through Zoom or over a DIY lunch at Democratic HQ. Those wishing to be on distribution for luncheon Zoom links should email Rich Dunn, Men's Committee Events Coordinator, at richdunn@aol.com.